The Sweet Truth: Can People With Diabetes Eat Fruit?
Since apples are sweet, many diabetics aren't sure if they spike their blood sugar levels. Find out if you can eat fruit with diabetes.
Published February 16, 2023.
Although fruits are good for overall health because they contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fibers, diabetics are often told not to eat fruits because they're sweet and increase blood sugar.
However, you'll be pleased to know you can eat fruit with diabetes after all—the American Diabetes Association suggests diabetics can have any fruit, as long as they're not allergic. Nevertheless, certain fruits can spike your blood sugar, so we show you how to eat fruit while avoiding this risk.
Eating Fruit When You Have Diabetes
Checking the fruit’s glycemic index can help determine its carbohydrate or sugar levels and calculate how much it will impact your blood sugar. Most fruits have low to medium GI and are considered safe in moderate amounts.
Fruits have a good mix of soluble and insoluble fibers, which lowers their GI score and prevents blood sugar levels from spiking up. You can also pair fruits with other foods to lower their GI and make a healthy treat—for example, eating apples with peanut butter or low-fat cheese can lower their GI score.
Some of the recommended fruits for diabetics are:
- Citrus fruits
- Berries
- Apples
- Guava
- Avocados
Fruits that should be avoided on a diabetic diet include:
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Figs
- Dates
- Raisins
- Dried apricots
» Not sure what you can eat as a type 1 diabetic? Balancing your plate is key
Enjoy Fruits as a Diabetic With Trim Down Club
Fruits are a great source of key nutrients, and they're a delicious and nutritious addition even to a diabetic diet. You can easily incorporate your favorite fruits into a practical and healthy diabetic meal plan with the support of Trim Down Club for Diabetes.
To get your customized and flexible meal plan based on your needs and preferences that includes your favorite fruits, take the Trim Down Club's quick diabetes quiz and get started on your health journey.
